Murray State Racers vs. Butler Bulldogs Wagering Lines
By WT Staff
Opening Line: Murray State +4.5 / Butler -4.5 O/U 128
Time: 3:20 PM EST Saturday March 20, 2010 on CBS
On Saturday afternoon in the 2nd round of the West Region the 5th seeded Butler Bulldogs face the 13th seed Murray State Racers. Neither of these teams comes from a major conference, but the winner of this game will make it to the Sweet 16.
Murray State scored a huge upset in the 1st round beating 4th seed Vanderbilt 66-65 on a last second buzzer beater. Butler has an easier time in the 1st round laying a beat down on UTEP 77-59.
Murray State won the Ohio Valley Conference this season and has won 22 of their last 23 games including their last 5. I mean them winning in the 1st round was not that much of an upset and even president Barrack Obama picked them to win. Butler is one of the hottest teams in the nation, as they won the Horizon League this season and is currently on a 21-game winning streak.
This season Murray State is 15-14-1 ATS and Butler is 14-19 ATS
To say Murray State has a well-balanced offense is a major understatement, as they have 2 guards, 2 forwards, and a center averaging in double figures led by G B.J. Jenkins (10.6 ppg). The Racers really spread the wealth around, as there 5 players averaging in double figures and are all averaging between 10 and 11 ppg.
The Racers have a better offense, as they are averaging 77.1 ppg and each has a stellar defensive team, as both are giving up an average of around 60 ppg.
Butler has 2 forwards, a guard, and a guard/forward averaging in double figures led by stud G/F Gordon Hayward (15.3 ppg) Hayward is the big guy on the boards for the Bulldogs averaging 8.3 rpg. The Racers have to keep him off the boards, especially on the offensive end of the court.
Hayward is a 6'9" G/F and can score from inside and outside and if he has a good game Butler will be hard to stop. He was only 2/8 from the field in the win over UTEP and he has to play better in this game.
Butler shot 41.9% (13/31) from 3-point land in the win over UTEP and Murray State shot 46.7% (7/15) so each has to play good perimeter defense.
Murray State rebounds well as a team, as their leader is C Tony Easley (5.7 rpg). However, he will need help on the glass in this game and the Racers are solid at team rebounding.
Murray State is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog and Butler is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.
Murray State has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games and Butler has an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 games.